We have this treasure in earthen vessels

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field."  (Matthew 13:44)

This past Sunday, I preached on the parable of the hidden treasure and the parable of the pearl of great price in Matthew 13:44-46. One of the implications of these parables seems to be that the kingdom of God is not easily found. Like a field with treasure hidden under the surface, our world may seem ordinary and unspiritual until God gives us the spiritual eyes to see that “the whole earth is full of His glory” (Isaiah 6:3). May God bring us to a place where we can exclaim, as Joseph did, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it” (Genesis 28:16).

In 2 Corinthians 4:7, Paul uses similar language to describe what believers who have the Holy Spirit are like. Referring to the glory of the gospel, Paul writes, “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” Although we may look ordinary, and even though this life may beat us down, we carry within us the glory of God in the gift of His Holy Spirit.

We live in a world where image is everything, as the tennis pro Andre Agassi told us in the Canon commercials of the early 90’s. Not much has changed since the days of King David, when God told Samuel, “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). But as I prepared for Sunday’s sermon, I thought about the men and women of our church, individuals who many may walk on by like that ordinary-looking field, in the process missing out on the treasure that lies beneath the surface. I think of Nancy Allbee, whose life has been a testimony to God’s goodness and who has been a steady and loving figure in my life through some of my toughest times. I think of Mary Grove, who passed away eight years ago but was a woman of deep love for our church and her family. I think of Jim and Dorothy Scrobko, who have served our church since day one and how Jim is a wealth of knowledge and wisdom, even at his advanced age. And I think of Ron Say, who will always be at the head of the line to serve his brother or sister and has been an example of godliness to so many.

As believers, we have the treasure of the gospel and of the glory of God within our decaying bodies. Therefore, I would challenge you not to be like the world, judging people by outward appearances and overlooking the treasure that lies beneath the surface. Instead, I encourage you to take the time to get to know a brother or sister at our church who you may only know on a surface level, that you might find yourself enriched by the treasure you discover.